Is It possible to give too much to our kids at christmas?

[Willow]

I just wondered. My kids are getting ALOT this year, but it isn't all from us. They had 5 things each on their lists...and we had advised them to keep their lists small because our finances weren't what they used to be. The kids asked for clothes, pajamas, and they each had asked for some specific toys that they really really REALLY wanted this year.

Well, we bought them everything that was on their list. They were going to have between 8 and 10 presents each. I thought that was a good Christmas! What kid wouldn't be happy with that? That isn't counting gifts from grandparents or the ones my brother had sent them.

Now something unexpected happened. We had THREE unexpected deliveries in this last week for our kids. First, our local Share A Christmas had picked our kids for their program. They each got a huge gift bag from the program and in that is an outfit, socks, underwear, and shoes for each kid. My oldest two each got a toy with theirs. They also gave us a huge box of food. Well, I passed that on to someone else who needed it more than us.

Then a lady from our church came and brought unwrapped toys that she said she had got my kids. She gave us a toy guitar for my 3 yr old and 19 month old and both my 5 yr old and 3 yr old got HUGE remote control trucks. My daughter got a kids laptop and a Sweet streets city block play set.

Then yesterday, another local county program brought even MORE out to my kids. They brought them a playhouse for the backyard (there is no wrapping that so the kids already seen it) plus three toys for our youngest and brand new outfits for the older three (and more socks and underwear!) and they gave us a HUGE box of diapers and wipes!! I was stoked over the diapers and wipes!! lol

Now I am worried that it is all too much. My mom said to just let them have it because it might be the best Christmas they ever get to have. Well, that worries me. What if this Christmas is too good and then they are disappointed every year after that?

With all the extra gifts each kids has over 20 each!!!!

What do you ladies suggest I do? We have birthdays coming in Feb, April, and May and then the 3 yr old turns 4 in August. I suggested we put some back for their birthdays. My hubby wants to give it all to them on Xmas. I am just worried it is too much at once. I never had a xmas this big when I was a kid LOLOLOL

Usually for birthdays we only give one toy and one outfit, and I really don't want to change that tradition for fear they will expect more at birthdays. With four kids I try to keep birthday costs at a minimal!

Whoa that's a lot of gifts! I'm sure your kids would LOVE getting so many presents for Christmas....but in a way you're right, what if they come to expect that every year? If I were you, I'd put some away and use them for their birthdays, and maybe some other small gifts for getting good grades or "just because" presents. My parents used to do that with us. We'd usually only get one big gift and a couple small ones, and anything else my parents would usually put away for birthdays or other special moments (of course I didn't know that THEN, I just recently found out ) So yeah, your kids will still get LOTS of gifts, AND you'll have their birthdays taken care of

[Willow]

I like the idea of good grades or just because presents!! I don't really like the idea of them getting a LOT all at once. I am afraid it sends the wrong message.

[Tink]

This might be a good chance to teach your kids compassion. Maybe ask each one to choose one gift on their list to give to some other shild who isn't going to have such a great Christmas this year. If they give something that means something to them, chances are it will stick with them that they are VERY lucky to be able to spare something. If they have extra gifts they don't really like from the other sources, they could donate those too. I think the good feeling we get when we're able to give to someone else is also a great gift to ourselves!

I'm glad you're thinking about this. It shows the kids have a good example to lead them... and that's the greatest gift of all.

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by Tink

This might be a good chance to teach your kids compassion. Maybe ask each one to choose one gift on their list to give to some other shild who isn't going to have such a great Christmas this year. If they give something that means something to them, chances are it will stick with them that they are VERY lucky to be able to spare something. If they have extra gifts they don't really like from the other sources, they could donate those too. I think the good feeling we get when we're able to give to someone else is also a great gift to ourselves!

I'm glad you're thinking about this. It shows the kids have a good example to lead them... and that's the greatest gift of all.

I was going to suggest this as well. Let the kids share what they have with someone else who could use it. Do you have an organization that gathers up toys to distribute to children? Donate a few toys or what ever else to it.

A few years ago my daughter (she must have been about 5 yr. old) won a huge box of Barbie stuff at a Wal-mart store. I mean HUGE! She picked out some stuff and we went to the police station and donated it to their Christmas Box. She's 14 now and still remembers giving to others.

[Willow]

Those are great ideas!! Thank you! I don't know why I didn't think of that myself!